JP2022008310A - Gaming machine, control method of machine, and program for gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a gaming machine to provide an operation part, a display part, and a control part.

SOLUTION: An operation part receives player's operation. A display part displays a primary game and a feature. A control part determines a result of the primary game and determines privilege of the primary game. The control part determines a base feature privilege on the basis of the primary game privilege, sets a feature trigger privilege equal to multiples of the base feature privilege, and provides a player with the game feature according to detection of trigger conditions. The game feature includes a plurality of free plays. The control part determines results of the free plays for the respective free plays, detects a second trigger condition, grants a player with the feature trigger privilege accordingly, and sets the feature trigger privilege to another multiple of the base feature privilege.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7B

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine, a method of controlling the gaming machine, and a program for the gaming machine.

[0002] Gaming machines such as slot machines are extremely popular among casino customers as devices that provide games that can be easily enjoyed, and recent statistics show that gaming machine sales account for more than half of casino sales. There are also reports that it occupies. Early slot machines simply accept coins, rotate and stop mechanically constructed reels in response to steering wheel operation, and determine victory or defeat by a combination of symbols stopped on a single payline. It was a device. However, modern gaming machines are mechanical slot machines that drive physical reels with high precision with computer-controlled stepping motors, video slot machines that display virtual reels on a computer-connected display, or the like. The sophistication is rapidly advancing to various gaming machines that apply the above technology to other casino games. For manufacturers developing these gaming machines, it is an important theme to improve the functionality of the gaming machines and to provide attractive games with strong power to attract casino customers as players.

[0003] In one aspect of the invention, the gaming machine provides the game to the player. The gaming machine includes an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The operation unit accepts the player's operation. The display unit displays the primary game and game features. The control unit is operably connected to the operation unit and the display unit, and causes the player to decide what to bet on and start the primary game. The control unit is responsible for providing the primary game.
Determine the outcome of the primary game,
The primary game benefits are determined according to the result of the primary game, and the primary game benefits are given to the player.
Detects the first trigger condition, (1) sets the base feature benefits based on the primary game benefits, sets feature trigger benefits equivalent to multiples of the base feature benefits, and (2) multiple free play Provides players with game features including. The control unit is responsible for providing each free play.
Determine the result of free play,
The second trigger condition is detected, and (1) the feature trigger privilege is given to the player accordingly, and (2) another multiple of the base feature privilege is set in the feature trigger privilege.

[0004] In another aspect of the invention, a control method for providing a game to a player using a gaming machine is provided. The gaming machine includes an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The operation unit accepts the player's operation. The display unit displays the primary game and game features. The control unit is operably connected to the operation unit and the display unit, and causes the player to decide what to bet on and start the primary game. The control unit is responsible for providing the primary game.
Steps to determine the outcome of the primary game,
The step of determining the primary game benefits according to the result of the primary game and granting the primary game benefits to the player,
Detects the first trigger condition, (1) sets the base feature benefits based on the primary game benefits, sets feature trigger benefits equivalent to multiples of the base feature benefits, and (2) multiple free play Perform steps to provide players with game features that include. This method is used in providing each free play.
Steps to determine the result of free play,
It includes the steps of detecting a second trigger condition, (1) granting the feature trigger privilege to the player accordingly, and (2) setting another multiple of the base feature privilege to the feature trigger privilege.

[0005] In yet another aspect of the invention, the program for the gaming machine provides the game to the player. The gaming machine includes an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The operation unit accepts the player's operation. The display unit is configured to be operable so as to display the primary game and game features. The control unit is connected to the operation unit and the display unit so as to be operable, and causes the player to decide what to bet on and start the primary game. The control unit is responsible for providing the game.
Steps to determine the outcome of the primary game,
The step of determining the primary game benefits according to the result of the primary game and granting the primary game benefits to the player,
Detects the first trigger condition and accordingly (1) sets the base feature benefits based on the primary game benefits, sets the feature trigger benefits equivalent to the base feature benefits, and (2) includes multiple free plays. Perform steps and provide game features to players,
The control unit is responsible for providing each free play.
Steps to determine the result of free play,
It includes the steps of detecting a second trigger condition, (1) granting the feature trigger privilege to the player accordingly, and (2) setting another multiple of the base feature privilege to the feature trigger privilege.

It is a perspective view of the gaming machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a front view of the gaming machine of FIG. 1A. It is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of FIG. 1A. It is a 1st schematic diagram of the display area of the gaming machine of FIG. 1A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the symbol arrangement which shows the order of the symbols displayed in the display area which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the symbol displayed in the display area which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the pay line set in the determination area of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the operation of the gaming machine in a game which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation of the gaming machine in a game which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the display area of the gaming machine of FIG. 1A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the display area of the gaming machine of FIG. 1A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the display area of the gaming machine of FIG. 1A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the display area of the gaming machine of FIG. 1A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the display area of the gaming machine of FIG. 1A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the display area of the gaming machine of FIG. 1A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the system for providing a game to a plurality of gaming terminals. It is a block diagram of the system for providing a game to the device of a plurality of players.

Detailed description of embodiments

[0017] Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, in each figure, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

As shown in the drawings and as an operation, the present invention relates to a gaming machine, a method of controlling a gaming machine, and a program for a gaming machine that provides a game to a player. In one embodiment, the game may include a primary game and one or more features (s) and / or bonus games (s). The primary game privilege can be given to the player according to the result of the primary game. In one aspect of the invention, a bonus game can be triggered during the primary game. In general, base feature benefits are set based on the primary game benefits when the bonus game is triggered. For example, the base feature benefits may be set in the same way as the primary game benefits. The feature trigger benefit is initially set equal to a multiple of the base feature benefit (eg, 1x, 2x, or 4x of the base feature benefit). Bonus games can include multiple free plays (see below). Bonus games can be re-triggered during free play. If the bonus game is re-triggered during free play, the feature trigger benefit will be granted to the player. After the bonus game is re-triggered and the feature-triggered benefit is granted to the player, the feature-triggered benefit is set equal to another multiple of the base feature benefit. For example, the feature trigger perks may be doubled each time the bonus game is re-triggered during free play and free trigger granted to the player. Players can be given benefits based on the results of each free play.

[0019] The gaming machine according to the present embodiment receives a predetermined game value from the player, generates a game result, and pays out to the player according to the game result and one or more pay tables. 1A and 1B are perspective views and front views of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the gaming machine 10 may provide a cabinet 20 that provides an upper display 22, a lower display 24, a control panel 26, and may accommodate a player tracking or ranking unit 57. Yes (see Figure 2). The cabinet 20 also houses a control unit 50 (see FIG. 2) that controls each portion (see below). The control unit 50 also implements a random number generator (RNG) used during the operation of the game. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described.

[0020] Both the upper display 22 and the lower display 24 may be flat panel display devices such as a liquid crystal display device and an organic EL display device, and each of them is controlled via a control unit 50 to display a display described later. It functions as a display unit 28 that provides an area to the player.

[0021] The speakers 30 are provided on the left and right sides of the cabinet 20, and the sound is provided to the player by being controlled via the control unit 50. A bill / ticket identification unit 32, a printer unit 34, and an operation unit 36 are provided on the control panel 26.

[0022] The player tracking unit 57 may be housed in the center of the front of the cabinet 20 below the lower display 24. The player tracking unit 57 includes a card reader that recognizes the player identification card, a display that presents data to the player, and a keypad that accepts input by the player. This type of player tracking unit 57, by cooperating with a control unit 50 or an external system described below, reads information recorded on a player identification card inserted into a card reader by a player, and / or the information and / or external system. The information acquired by communicating with is displayed on the display. In addition, input from the player is received by the keypad, the display is modified according to the input, and communication with the external system is performed as needed.

[0023] The bill / ticket identification unit 32 is arranged on the control panel 26 with the insertion slot into which the bill / ticket is inserted exposed, and the bill / ticket is identified inside the insertion slot by various sensors. An identification unit is provided, and a bill / ticket storage unit is provided on the output port side of the identification unit. The bill / ticket identification unit 32 receives the bill / ticket (including the voucher and the coupon) which is the game value, identifies it as the game execution value, and notifies the control unit 50 described later.

[0024] The printer unit 34 is arranged on the control panel 26 in a state where the ticket output port from which the ticket is output is exposed, and a printing unit for printing predetermined information on printing paper is provided inside the ticket output port. An accommodating portion for accommodating printing paper is provided on the paper inlet side of the printing unit. The printer unit 34 prints information on paper under the control of the control unit 50 described later, and outputs a ticket from the gaming machine 10 according to the credit payout process. The output ticket can be used for gameplay by inserting the issued credit into the banknote / ticket identification unit 32 of another gaming machine, or the kiosk terminal in the casino or the casino. It can be cashed in a cage.

[0025] The operation unit 36 accepts a player's operation. The operation unit 36 includes a group of buttons 38 that receive various instructions from the player of the gaming machine 10. For example, the operation unit 36 may include a group of spin buttons and setting buttons. The spin button receives an instruction for starting a game (starting rotation of the reel) described later. The group of buttons 38 includes a group of bet buttons, a group of line designation buttons, a max bet button, a payout button, and the like. The bet button group accepts instruction operations regarding the bet credit amount (bet amount) from the player. The group of line designation buttons receives from the player an instruction operation for designating a payline (hereinafter referred to as a valid line) related to the line determination described later. The max bet button accepts instructions regarding the maximum credit amount a player can bet at one time. The payout button accepts an instruction operation instructing the withdrawal of credits accumulated in the gaming machine 10.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, inside the cabinet 20, a central processing unit 51 (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU), an interface unit (or interface unit) 52, a memory 53, and a storage 54 constituting the control unit 50 are included. A control board with such features is further incorporated. The control board is configured to be communicable via each component provided in the interface unit 52 and the cabinet 20, and controls the operation of each part by executing a program recorded in the memory 53 or the storage 54 of the CPU 51. Provide the game to the player.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The gaming machine 10 provides a control unit 50. The control unit 50 is an interface unit 52 including a chipset that provides communication functions of the CPU 51 such as a memory bus connected to the CPU 51, various expansion buses, a serial interface, a USB interface, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface. It is configured as a computer unit that provides a memory 53 and a storage 54 that can be addressed via the unit 52. The memory 53 can be configured to include RAM, which is a volatile storage medium, ROM, which is a non-volatile storage medium, and EEPROM, which is a rewritable non-volatile storage medium. The storage 54 provides a function as an external storage device to the control unit 50, can use a reading device such as a memory card and a magneto-optical disk which are removable storage media, and can also use a hard disk. be.

[0028] In addition to the CPU 51, the memory 53, and the storage 54, the interface unit 52 includes a bill / ticket identification unit 55, a printer unit 56, a player tracking unit 57, a graphic controller 58, an input controller 84, and a sound controller 85. Be connected. That is, the control unit 50 is connected to the operation unit 36 via the input controller 84, and is connected to the upper display 22 and / or the lower display 24 via the graphic controller 58. Further, when an illumination 44 that provides decorative lighting to the gaming machine 10 is provided, the illumination is controlled under the control of the control unit 50 via the interface unit 52, and the illumination provides a decorative lighting effect. The controller 42 may be connected.

[0029] The control unit 50 including the memory 53 and the storage 54 controls each unit by executing the program stored in the memory 53 and the storage 54, and provides the game to the player. Here, for example, the program and data of the operating system and subsystem that provide the basic functions of the control unit 50 are stored in the EEPROM of the memory 53, and the program and data of the application that provides the game are stored in the storage 54. May be done. According to such a configuration, the game can be easily changed or updated by exchanging the storage 54. Further, the control unit 50 may have a multiprocessor configuration including a plurality of CPUs.

[0030] Hereinafter, each block connected to the control unit 50 will be described. The bill / ticket identification unit 55 corresponds to the bill / ticket identification unit 32, accepts bills / tickets at the insertion slot, and notifies the control unit 50 of the identification information corresponding to the bill type or the credit payout process. The bill / ticket identification unit 55 notifies the control unit 50 of the information, and the control unit 50 increases the credit amount that can be used in the game according to the notified content. The printer unit 56 corresponds to the printer unit 34, and under the control of the control unit 50 that receives the operation of the payout button of the group 38 of the setting button, the information corresponding to the credit payout process from the gaming machine 10 is printed on the ticket. Is output.

[0031] The player ranking (or tracking unit) unit 57 cooperates with the control unit 50 to send and receive player information and the like to and from the casino management system. The graphic controller 58 controls the upper display 22 and the lower display 24 under the control of the control unit 50, and displays a display image including various graphic data. The sound controller 85 drives the speaker 30 under the control of the control unit 50, and provides various sounds such as announcements, sound effects, and BGM.

[0032] Further, the interface unit 52 includes various communication interfaces for communicating with the outside of the gaming machine 10, for example, the interface unit 52 may communicate with the external network via Ethernet 86, 87, and the serial interface 88. can. In this embodiment, communication is performed with a known server-side gaming network (server-based gaming in FIG. 2), a G2S network (between the game and system in FIG. 2), and a slot information system (slot data system in FIG. 2), respectively. An example of how to do this is shown.

[0033] FIG. 3 schematically shows a display area 78 provided by the gaming machine 10. Such a display area 78 is displayed on the display device 28 (upper display 22 and / or lower display 24) by the control unit 50 executing a predetermined program. In the illustrated embodiment, the display area 78 is displayed on the lower display 24. For example, as shown in the figure, during a primary game and / or a bonus game, the top display 22 is used to display game-related information (eg, game title information) and / or graphics. May be good.

[0034] In one aspect of the invention, the gaming machine 10 provides the game to the player. Games can include primary games and game features. Game features can include (1) multiples applied to benefits or paylines, (2) multiple free games or spins, and / or (3) one or more of bonus games. For example, the primary game may be a video slot game, and the game feature may be, for example, granting a plurality of free games or spin benefits depending on the appearance of a trigger condition in the primary game. Game features may be provided during free spins.

Returning to FIG. 3, the game of the invention uses the grid 60 in the display area 78 during the primary game and free spins (if provided). The illustrated embodiment shows the display state of the display area 78 on the lower display 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the display area 78 includes a grid 60 for displaying symbols. By using such a display area, the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment operates as a slot machine that pays out according to a winning combination of symbols displayed in the display area 78.

[0036] The display device 28 displays a plurality of symbols on the grid 60. The grid 60 includes a plurality of rows (r) and columns (c). The grid 60 is composed of a plurality of cells 64 which are stop positions of symbols.

[0037] With reference to FIG. 3, the grid 60 can be displayed on the lower display 24. The top display 22 can be used to display animation and / or game identification information during the primary game and / or during attract mode. Further, the display device 28 can display a decorative area and an area for displaying a credit amount, a bet amount, a credit amount acquired by winning (winning number), and the like, outside the grid 60. One symbol is stopped and displayed in each of the plurality of cells 64 in the display area 78.

[0038] In one embodiment, each cell 64 of the grid 60 displays a symbol based on the symbol array of the virtual reel strips 71-75 forming the virtual reel set 70, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Will be done. That is, the cells 64 of the grid 60 are associated with the virtual reel strips 71 to 75 for each column, and the symbols arranged in the predetermined portions of the virtual reel strips 71 to 75 are displayed. Further, by moving (scrolling or spinning) each symbol column by column based on the symbol arrangement of the virtual reel strips 71 to 75, the symbol displayed in cell 64 of the grid 60 changes, and the symbol is moved (scrolling or spinning) column by column. The symbol is stopped by stopping the spin). Here, the virtual reel strips 71 to 75 are data, and the control unit 50 displays a program including the memory 53 or the storage 54, and a symbol array defined for each cell row (that is, the order of the symbols of each reel). Use the data you want. Further, the virtual reel set 70 is a general term for such virtual reel strips 71 to 75.

[0039] Each virtual reel strip 71 to 75 in the example of FIG. 4 is composed of 20 symbols at each symbol position, and these symbols are arranged in the order defined for each reel. FIG. 5 is the details of the symbols in the figure shown in FIG. Each virtual reel strip 71-75 contains a symbol selected from the 13 symbol sets shown in FIG. This symbol set includes card symbols (“9”, “10”, “J”, “Q”, “K”, and “A”) that imitate playing cards as standard symbols, and image symbols (“PicA”) that show patterns. , "PicB", "PicC", "PicD", and "PicE"). In addition, this symbol set is a wild symbol (“Wild”) that is substituted as another symbol when a winning combination is determined, and a scatter used to determine if a game feature is provided. ) Symbol (“Sctr”) is included (see below). Each of these symbols has different ranks with respect to their value at the time of winning, the ranks of which are "9", "10", "J", "Q", "K", "A", It gradually rises in the order of "PicE", "PicD", "PicC", "PicB", and "PicA". A combination of symbols containing a high-ranked symbol at the time of winning can win a larger winning payout than a combination of low-ranked symbols at the time of winning.

Note that in the illustrated embodiment, each row of grid 60 includes a corresponding reel strip. When the reel strips are stopped, the symbol for each reel strip is displayed in each one of the cells in each column of the grid 60. However, in an alternative embodiment, each cell 64 of the grid 60 has an independent reel that can spin independently of the other reels. Therefore, each cell 64 of the grid 60 may have an independent reel containing the corresponding virtual reel strips 71-75.

Note that the primary and bonus games (ie, free play) may be other types of games other than slot games or video slot games. For example, the primary game and / or the bonus game may be a poker game, a bingo, a keno, or any other type of game.

[0042] In the following embodiments, the invention will be described with respect to a 3x5 grid, but it should be noted that the invention is not limited to grids of a particular size and / or shape. The following describes games including primary games and bonus games. Bonus games offer multiple free games and / or spins.

[0043] In general, the control unit 50 starts a game (either a primary game or a free spin in a bonus game), randomly determines a stop position for each virtual reel strip 71-75, and virtual reel strips 71-75. Moves from the current position and stops at the stop position is represented using the display device 28 (eg, lower display 24). Therefore, in the display or grid 60, the symbols included in the virtual reel strips 71 to 75 are continuously moved (scrolled or spun) in the vertical direction of the display area 78 and arranged in the order of the symbols based on the symbol array. One symbol in one cell 64 is stopped and displayed.

[0044] The control unit 50 changes and stops a plurality of symbols displayed on the display device 28 according to the player's operation accepted by the operation unit 36, and even if the payout is performed according to the stopped symbols in the display area 78. good.

[0045] In the display area 78, a payline is set and used when a winning is determined. The payline is set so as to straddle the cell in the leftmost column to the rightmost column, and is a line for determining a winning by combining a plurality of cells 64. The number of valid lines among the set paylines is selected by the operation of the group of line designation buttons included in the group 38 of the setting buttons of the operation unit 36 for the player. Regarding the result of the game which is a combination of symbols, the control unit 50 determines the winning when the same symbols are aligned in excess of a predetermined number on the set payline, and pays out to the player according to the type and number of symbols. In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, a predetermined number of paylines (lines 1 to 40) of cells in rows 3 and 5 in the display area 78 are set (see FIG. 6). The system for determining the winning may determine the winning when a predetermined number of the same symbols are aligned from the cells in the leftmost column on the set payline, or the system for determining the winning may determine the winning in the rightmost column on the set payline. The winning may be determined when a predetermined number of the same symbols are aligned from the cell, or the winning may be determined when a predetermined number of the same symbols are aligned in a continuous column on a predetermined payline. do not have. In addition, more than a predetermined number of "Sctr" form a winning combination or trigger condition regardless of the payline.

It should be noted that the payline may be different (or added) than the payline shown in FIG. In general, the payline shown in FIG. 6 starts at the first column, ends at the last column, and contains one cell per column. However, one or more paylines can include one or more cells in the same column and may include vertical paylines.

Returning to FIGS. 1A to 4, in one embodiment, the gaming machine 10 includes an operation unit 36, a display unit 28, and a control unit 50. The operation unit 36 accepts the player's operation. The display unit 38 displays the display area 78. The display area 78 includes a plurality of cells 64 arranged in the grid 60, and each symbol is displayed in each cell 64. The symbols displayed in each cell 64 are from a set of symbols. Symbols in a set of symbols have the lowest to highest ranks.

[0048] The control unit 50 is operably connected to the operation unit 36 and the display unit 38, causes the player to set what to bet on, and provides the game according to the operation of the player. In one embodiment, the game or primary game is a video slot game. The control unit 50 uses the virtual reel strips 71 to 75 in a manner simulating a rotary reel to select a plurality of symbols to be displayed in the cell 64 of the grid 60. When the simulated rotary reel is stopped, a plurality of symbols are displayed in cell 64 of the grid 60.

[0049] In one embodiment, the grid 60 can include a plurality of columns. Each row defines a reel for a video slot game and includes accompanying reel strips 71-75. In another embodiment of the invention, a reel strip associated with each cell 64 of the grid 60 is included.

[0050] The gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment provides a primary game (also referred to as a main game) and game features. Game features can include granting a player one or more of free games or free spins. Generally, game features are provided when certain conditions (ie, trigger conditions) are met. For the primary game (and any free spins), the symbols displayed in the display area 78 constitute a combination of symbols that is the result of the game and determine the winning.

Note that game features may be provided during any free game or free spins (see below). For example, if the game feature contains one or more free games or free spins, additional free games or free spins may be granted to the player during the free game or during the free spins.

[0052] In one embodiment, the game feature is triggered when a predetermined number of symbols of the symbols appear in the result of a primary game or a free game. For example, a game feature may be triggered when three wild symbols appear in the result of the primary game, giving the player eight free spins accordingly. The appearance of two or three wild symbols appearing in the result of free spins during free spins results in an additional three and eight free spins grants, respectively. Apart from that, the trigger condition may be a mystery trigger (ie, independent of the outcome of the game).

[0053] In one embodiment, the virtual reel strips used in the free spins may be different or the same as the virtual reel strips used in the primary game. In addition, benefits can be awarded to players based on the result of each spin, whether it is a primary game or free spin, a set of paylines, and a predetermined paytable. The payline and / or payout table used in the free spins may be the same as and / or different from the payline and / or paytable used in the primary game.

[0054] The control unit 50 is operably connected to the operation unit 36 and the display unit 28, causes the player to set what to bet, and starts the primary game. In providing the primary game, the control unit 50 determines the result of the primary game. If the result of the primary game is a winning result, the primary game privilege is determined and given to the player. For example, if the primary game is a video slot machine, the result of the primary game will include a plurality of symbols displayed on the grid 60. One or more winning conditions may be determined by a paytable and one or more played paylines (see above). In one embodiment, the primary game perks may be determined according to the outcome of the primary game, what is offered to the player's bet, the paytable, and / or the payline. The result of the primary game may determine one or more winning conditions, or the primary game benefits may be defined as a set of benefits associated with each winning condition.

Further, if the first trigger condition is present, the control unit 50 triggers the game feature. In an exemplary embodiment, the game feature comprises granting the player one or more free games (eg, free spins provided by the control unit 50).

[0056] When a game feature is triggered, a base feature benefit is set according to the primary game benefit, and a feature trigger benefit equivalent to a multiple of the base feature benefit is set.

[0057] In one embodiment, the first trigger condition can be a winning condition in the result of the primary game. In another embodiment, the first trigger condition is the presence of a winning condition in the result of the primary game and the appearance of one or more of a given symbol (eg, a wild symbol or scatter symbol) in the result. May be good.

[0058] In yet another embodiment, the first trigger condition is the appearance of one or more of a given symbol (eg, a wild symbol or scatter symbol) in the result, even if the winning condition does not occur. Can be. In this embodiment, the base feature benefits can be determined according to the previous primary game benefits.

[0059] The result of each free game may include one or more winning results. For example, when the free game is a free spin of a virtual slot game, a privilege may be given to the player based on the result of the free spin, the player's payline, and each payline. In addition, as mentioned above, in each of the free games or free spins, the game feature may be retriggered (whether or not the result includes a winning result based on the payline). As described in more detail below, if a game feature is re-triggered during a free spin, an additional free spin will be granted to the player and a feature trigger benefit will be automatically granted to the player.

[0060] The control unit 50 determines the result of the free play in the provision of each free play. As mentioned above, this result can include one or more winning conditions. In one embodiment, if a winning condition exists, the player may be granted a privilege based on the winning condition and the pay table.

A second trigger condition may occur for each free play or free spin. When the control unit 50 detects the second trigger condition, the feature trigger privilege is automatically given to the player, and the feature trigger privilege is set to be equivalent to another multiple of the base feature privilege.

[0062] When a primary game privilege having a credit number of J is given to a player during a primary game and a game feature is triggered, the base feature privilege is determined according to the primary game privilege. The (first) feature trigger benefit is set equivalent to the base feature benefit (J) to which the multiple is applied. In one embodiment, the (first) feature trigger privilege is the same as the primary base privilege because the base feature privilege is set to be equivalent to the primary game privilege and the multiple is 1.

[0063] In one embodiment, each time a game feature is re-triggered during a free game or free spin, the feature trigger perk is set equal to the base feature perk with (another) multiple applied. For example, the feature trigger perks may be doubled each time a game feature is retriggered during a free game or free spins until the maximum is reached. Samples are shown in the table below.

[0064] In one embodiment, the control unit 50 grants the player an additional plurality of free plays depending on the detection of the second trigger condition during free play or free spins.

[0065] In one embodiment, the first and / or second trigger conditions may be determined depending on the outcome of the primary game or free play, respectively. For example, the first and / or second trigger condition may be triggered when a predetermined number of symbols appear in the result of a primary game or a free game. For example, a game feature may be triggered when three wild symbols appear in the result of the primary game, giving the player eight free spins accordingly. During free spins, the appearance of two or three wild symbols appearing in the result of free spins results in an additional three and eight free spins grants, respectively. Alternatively, the trigger condition may be a mystery trigger (ie, independent of the game result).

[0066] As described above, when a game feature is triggered, the base feature perks can be set equivalent to the primary game perks. The feature-triggered benefit is initially set equal to the base feature benefit to which the multiple is applied. For example, in one embodiment, the feature trigger privilege may be initially set equal to 1 times the base feature privilege. Each time a game feature is re-triggered during a free game or free spins, the feature trigger perk is granted to the player and the feature trigger perk is reset to the base feature perk with another multiple applied. For example, in one embodiment, the feature trigger privilege may be doubled (until the maximum value) each time the game feature is retriggered.

[0067] As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the primary game and the free game are video slot games. Free games or free spins may use different virtual reel strips.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, method M10 uses a gaming machine 10 to provide a game to a player. The gaming machine 10 may include an operation unit 36, a display unit 28, and a control unit 50. The operation unit 36 accepts the player's operation. The display unit 28 can be configured to perform an operation of displaying a primary game and a game feature. The control unit 50 can be connected to the operation unit 36 and the display unit 28 to operate, and causes the player to set what to bet and start the primary game.

[0069] In the first step 10S1, the player's input (or operation) is accepted from the player. In the second step 10S2, the primary game is started and the result of the primary game is determined.

[0070] If there is a winning result in the third step 10S3, the method M10 proceeds to the fourth step 10S4. If not, method M10 proceeds to the fifth step 10S5. In the fourth step 10S4, the primary game privilege is determined according to the result of the primary game and is given to the player.

When the first trigger condition is detected in the fifth step 10S5, the game feature is initialized and a plurality of free games or free spins are given to the player. If the first trigger condition is not detected, the primary game ends.

[0072] In the sixth step 10S6, the base feature privilege is determined according to the primary game privilege. In one embodiment, the base feature benefits are set equivalent to the primary game benefits. In the seventh step 10S7, the (first) feature trigger privilege is set equal to a multiple of the base feature privilege. In one embodiment, the feature trigger privilege is set to 1 times the base feature privilege.

[0073] In the eighth step 10S8, a plurality of free plays are given to the player. In the ninth step 10S9, free play or free spins are started, and in the tenth step 10S10, the result of the free play is determined. Benefits may be awarded to players based on any winning result in the result of free play.

[0074] If the second trigger condition is detected in the eleventh step 10S11, the method M10 proceeds to the twelfth step 10S12. If not, method M10 proceeds to the fifteenth step 10S15.

[0075] In the twelfth step 10S12, additional free play is granted to the player. In the thirteenth step 10S13, the feature trigger privilege is automatically given to the player. In the fourteenth step 10S14, the feature trigger privilege is set equal to another multiple of the base feature privilege. In one embodiment, the feature trigger privilege is doubled each time the game feature is retriggered in free play until it reaches its maximum value.

[0076] If free spins remain in the fifteenth step 10S15, the method M10 returns to the ninth step 10S9. If not, method M10 ends.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming machine 10 includes an operation unit 36, a display unit 22, 24, and a control unit 50. The operation unit 36 accepts the player's operation (see above). The display units 22 and 24 are operably connected to the operation unit 36 and display the symbol display area 78. The symbol display area 78 includes a plurality of cells 64 arranged in the grid 60. As mentioned above, the grid 60 includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

[0078] The control unit 50 is connected to the operation unit 36 and the display units 22 and 24 to operate, starts the game according to the operation of the player, and determines the result of the game. The control unit 50 randomly selects a plurality of symbols associated with the symbol display area 78 or the grid 60 in response to the start of the game. Each symbol of the plurality of symbols is associated with one of the plurality of cells 64 in the grid 60. Multiple symbols form the result of the primary game.

[0079] In some embodiments, each symbol in the result of the primary game can be randomly selected. In an exemplary embodiment, the game is a video slot game. As mentioned above, there is an accompanying reel strip in each row. In the random selection of symbols, the control unit 50 randomly determines the stop position for each reel strip (using a random number generator (RNG)) and displays the result in a manner simulating a rotating reel. The symbols in each column in the result are determined according to the accompanying reel strip and a randomly determined stop position.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 8-13, a plurality of displays of the display area 78 at the end of the primary game and during the game feature are shown. Specifically, referring to FIG. 8, the primary game has just ended. Players are awarded a total of 2000 credits (from one or more winning conditions in the result of the primary game). In addition, the appearance of three trigger (wild) symbols in the result of the primary game triggers the game feature perks.

[0081] Specifically, with reference to FIG. 9, the total number (2000 credits) earned prior to the start of the free spins is displayed in the lower right corner of the display area. In an exemplary embodiment, the base feature perks are set equal to the total number (2000 credits) earned in the primary game. In an exemplary embodiment, the initial feature trigger privilege is set equivalent to the base feature privilege. The player is notified of "Trigger acquisition! 2000". The appearance of two or three wild symbols that appear as a result of any of the free spins will re-trigger the bonus or game feature. If a bonus or game feature is retriggered during the game feature, the player will be given an additional 3 or 8 free spins, respectively.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 10, feature trigger benefits (2000, 4000, 8000, 16000, and 32000 credits) due to continuous retriggering are displayed along the top of the display area 78. The appearance of two wild symbols in the result of free spins results in (1) granting the current feature trigger perk (2000 credits) and (2) granting additional (3 times) spins, as shown. .. The feature trigger perk is doubled to 4000 credits, which is then highlighted on the display area 78, as shown in FIG.

[0083] On subsequent free spins, the two wild symbols contained in the result of the free spins will re-trigger the game feature, as shown in FIG. Players will be given three additional free games and will be automatically given the current feature trigger perks (4000). The feature trigger privilege is then doubled again to 8000 and is highlighted on the display area 78 (see FIG. 13).

[0084] In another aspect of the invention, free games or bonus game features can be provided. In one embodiment, a free game or bonus game feature is triggered during the main game. The control unit 50 determines whether or not a trigger condition has occurred during the primary game. Bonus game features are offered when trigger conditions occur. In one embodiment, the trigger condition is defined as the appearance of a predetermined number of symbols among the symbols in the feature area 61 of the grid.

[0085] In one embodiment, the control unit 50 detects the appearance of a predetermined symbol in the result of the primary game and provides game features accordingly in response to the appearance of the predetermined symbol in the result of the main game. Bonus game features may include multiple free games (or free spins). The predetermined symbol may be a scatter symbol. The number of free games may be predetermined, randomly determined, and / or depending on the number of scatter symbols appearing in the feature area. For example, in one embodiment, 5, 8, 12, or 20 free spins are provided at the appearance of 3, 4, 5, and 6 scatter symbols, respectively.

[0086] In one aspect of the invention, the reel strips used in the free game feature are different from the reel strips 71-75 used in the main game.

[0087] Next, a program of the gaming machine 10 for operating one or more computers as the control unit 50 will be described. The gaming machine 10 can store the program in the memory 53 and execute the program. The gaming machine 10 can access the program stored in the memory 53, and can operate as the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment by the program.

[0088] Further, the program according to the embodiment may be provided via a network or may be stored in a recording medium. Examples of the recording medium include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, or a ROM, a semiconductor memory, and the like. In this case, the program stored in the memory uses a reading device in the gaming machine 10, such as a floppy disk drive device, a CD-ROM drive device, and a DVD drive device.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and can be modified in various ways.

[0090] In the embodiment, a gaming machine 10 that provides a game in the form of a slot machine has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and poker, a video card game called blackjack, a bingo, a keno, a wheel game, and the like are described. The game may be provided in a state. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to pachinko machines or pachislot machines.

[0091] In one embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the control panel 26 is configured to identify a physical medium from an acceptor device that accepts a medium associated with a monetary value and determines a credit balance. Includes a validated tool and multiple user input devices that may include a cash withdrawal button capable of initiating a payout associated with a credit balance. The acceptor device is a touch screen display associated with the display device 28 and / or the player tracking unit 57, a bill / ticket identification unit 42, an operating unit 36, a player tracking unit 57, a coin slot, a ticket-in-ticket-out (TITO) system. , A banknote acceptor, and / or any suitable device on which the gaming machine 10 can receive a medium associated with a monetary value and determine the credit balance used in the play of the gaming machine 10. In one embodiment, the acceptor device is any suitable physical entity that allows, for example, coins, medals, tickets, cards, banknotes, currencies, and / or gaming machines 10 to function as described herein. It may be configured to accept a physical medium, such as a medium. Acceptor devices are virtual, such as player tracking accounts, virtual credit balances, reward points, gaming credits, bonus points, and / or any suitable virtual medium on which the gaming machine 10 functions as described herein. It may be configured to accept media. For example, in one embodiment, the coin slot may include an opening configured to receive coins and / or tokens deposited by the player in the gaming machine 10. The control unit 50 converts the value of coins and / or tokens into the corresponding gaming credit amount, which is used by the player to bet in the game played on the gaming machine 10. A banknote acceptor is a banknote, ticket, and / or to a banknote acceptor so that the amount of gaming credit associated with the monetary value of a banknote, ticket, and / or cash card can be placed in the gaming machine 10. It may include an input / output device that accepts a cash card. In one embodiment, the banknote acceptor also includes a printer (not shown) configured to provide a printed voucher ticket, which voucher ticket is the credit paid to the player by the gaming machine 10 during the gaming session. Contains information indicating the amount and / or the amount. Voucher tickets may be used on other gaming machines or exchanged for cash and / or other items as part of the casino's cashless system.

[0092] In the embodiment, the stop position of each reel is determined and the random numbers used for each are continuously acquired, but the procedure for acquiring the random numbers is not limited to this. For example, when the game starts, the control unit 50 collectively acquires these random numbers, and each random number may be stored in the storage area of the memory 53 or the storage 54 which is not erased when a power failure occurs. In such a type of configuration, even if a power failure occurs during the game, the control unit 50 acquires a random number from the memory 53 or the storage 54 at the start of the game before the power failure occurs, so that the power failure occurs. The progress of the game can be reproduced when the game is restarted after recovery. For example, if a game result is formed that can get a high payout just before a power outage occurs, the player will be very dissatisfied if the game progresses not the same after recovery from the power outage. However, as described above, all the random numbers are collectively acquired at the start of the game, and by storing the random numbers in the memory 53 or the storage 54, the progress of the same game after the power failure is recovered and before the power failure occurs. Can be reproduced to prevent such great dissatisfaction with the player.

[0093] In another embodiment, the player may start the game by activating a spin button (or other button). After the game starts, the control unit 50 randomly determines the stop positions of all reels. The control unit 50 may execute a check of the trigger condition before the reel stops spinning, thereby predetermining the result of the game. However, as described above, the control unit 50 displays the result of the game in a stepwise process. Further, in a specific embodiment, when a trigger condition appears for a column in the left plurality of columns, the result is checked and evaluated for the column in the right plurality of columns. For example, if a bonus game is offered that is triggered based on the result, the result must be finalized to perform such an evaluation.

[0094] Further, in the embodiment, the form in which the banknote / ticket is shown as the game value, is accepted by these banknote / ticket identification devices (32, 55), and the ticket is output from the printer unit 34 has been described. , The present invention is not limited to this. Game value is a concept that includes tangible objects such as coins, banknotes, medals, tickets, or electronic data of equivalent value. For example, there may be a form in which coins are accepted by a coin acceptor and coins are paid out by a coin hopper. There may be a form in which the player is identified, the credits stored in the account on the server are used, and the credits are paid to the account, for credits stored on magnetic cards, IC cards, and similar storage media. There may be a form in which information is read and used and credits are paid by writing to a storage medium.

[0095] As described above, the control unit 50 can include a random number generator (RNG) that can be mounted on the processor 51 and the control unit 50, and a memory device 53. The memory device 53 includes a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk drive, a semiconductor drive, a floppy disk, a flash drive, a compact disk, and a digital video disk. And / or any suitable device that allows the CPU 51 to store, acquire, and / or execute instructions and / or data, including, but not limited to, computer-readable media.

[0096] The processor 51 executes various programs, thereby controlling other components of the control unit 50 according to the instructions and data of the player received by the user input device. The processor 51 executes a game program, thereby executing the game according to the embodiments described herein. The memory device 53 stores programs and data used by the processor 51. Further, the memory device 53 includes a bet, a total amount of bets, an average bet per game, a game type, a privilege, a privilege type, a trigger condition, an acoustic effect, a game symbol display effect, and the like. Contains, but is not limited to, 3D sound features, game images and / or image data for generating screens on display devices 33, 24, which stores data and is used by variables, parameters, and processors 51. Temporarily store something similar. In addition, the memory device 53 stores a mark, a symbol weight, a symbol value, a pay table, and / or a winning combination table representing the relationship between the combination of random numbers and the type of privilege. In one embodiment, the memory device 53 uses RAM to temporarily store programs and data necessary for the progress of the game, and uses EPROM to perform basic operations of the gaming machine 10 (operations of the gaming machine 10). Pre-store programs and data to control startup, etc.).

[0097] The control unit 50 acquires a random number from RNG, for example, at the start of each round of the game. Processor 51 uses random numbers to determine the outcome of the game. For example, if the game is a video slot game, the processor 51 uses RNG to randomly select the placement of symbols to be displayed on the video reels. In addition, the processor 51 typically uses random numbers generated by the RNG to play the game and determine whether to provide benefits and / or bonus features to the player. In one embodiment, the processor 51 uses a random number to determine the stop position of each reel for use in stopping each of the plurality of mechanical reels and / or the video reels displayed on the display devices 22 and 24. , The result of the game may be displayed. The processor 51 obtains a combination of random numbers from RNG, compares the generated combination with the winning combination stored in the winning combination table, and whether the generated result is the winning result associated with the type of privilege. May be determined. In general, the term "privilege" may be a credit or monetary payout. Therefore, the processor 51 may grant a standard payout in response to the outcome of the game. However, the term perks may refer to other types of perks, including prizes (eg meals, show tickets, etc.) and in-game perks (bonus features, free games, and / or free spins, etc.). Alternatively, it may be noted that one or more wild symbols or stacked wild symbols may be given to the player in each game. In one embodiment, the RNG is configured by executing a random number generation program on the processor 51.

[0098] Further, in the embodiment, when displaying the free game provided as the bonus game, a bonus game using virtual reel strips 71 to 75 different from the regular game may be provided. Further, there may be a feature game provided according to a random number value acquired during the regular game.

[0099] Further, the setting condition for providing the bonus game or the feature game is not limited to the determination of the trigger or the determination of the line, and may be configured to provide the bonus game when the number of bets exceeds a predetermined value, for example. .. There may be a configuration that provides a bonus game according to a random number value acquired during a regular game.

[0100] Further, in the embodiment, a form in which a predetermined number of free games are provided as a bonus game is shown, but a bonus game which is not limited to the number of times may be provided. In that case, when the end condition is a combination of designated symbols, there may be a configuration in which the bonus game is provided until the end condition is satisfied, or a configuration in which the bonus game is determined based on a random number.

[0101] Illustrative embodiments of gaming machines, gaming systems, and methods of providing perks to players have been described in detail above. Gaming machines, systems, and methods are not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but rather components of gaming machines and / or systems, and / or steps of methods are described herein. It may be used independently of other components and / or steps. For example, a gaming machine may be used in combination with other gaming systems and methods and is not limited to the practice of using only the gaming machines described herein. Rather, exemplary embodiments may be implemented and utilized in connection with the application of many other gaming systems.

[0102] In the embodiments described above, the primary game and game features are provided by the control unit 50 on the gaming machine 10. The control unit 50 includes one or more processors 51, and the processor 51 executes a program to provide a primary game and game features. Referring to FIG. 14, in another embodiment of the invention, the primary game and game features may be run at least partially on a remote gaming server. The gaming server 100 may provide the primary game and game features to one or more gaming terminals 104. In general, the gaming terminal 104 may include structures and similar components similar to the gaming machine 10. Each gaming terminal 104 may include the same or similar components as those shown in FIG. The game server 102 may include one or more processors for executing programs that provide primary games and game features. The results of the primary game and game features may be transmitted to each game terminal 104. If the player is playing on one or more of the gaming terminals 102, the gaming server 102 may execute a separate / independent instance of the primary game / game feature associated with each gaming terminal 102. .. From the player's point of view, the operation or play of the primary game and game features via the gaming terminal 102 is the same as or indistinguishable from the play on the stand-alone gaming machine 10. The player may add funds to the gaming machine 10 or the gaming terminal 100 using the banknote / ticket identification unit 55 and start the primary game via the operation unit 36. However, the game is executed on the gaming server 102, and the result (s) generated by the gaming server 102 are transmitted to the related gaming terminal 102. Such a server-based system has several advantages. First, there are few hardware requirements to display the game and send player input to the gaming server 102. Therefore, the cost of the entire system can be suppressed. In addition, the program that runs the game exists on the gaming server, so if you need to make changes or updates to the program, you only need to update the program once.

[0103] With reference to FIG. 15, the primary game and game features can be provided to the device 204 of a plurality of players via the gaming server 202. For example, the player's device 204 can be a personal computer, tablet, mobile device, or mobile phone. The primary game may be played via a computer program application or app running on the player's device 204 or accessed via a website running on the World Wide Web (WWW). In one embodiment, the primary game and / or game feature can be provided by a computer program application or app. The game server 202 communicates with the player's device 204 to track gameplay, provide access to player accounts (including funds used to place bets), bet offerings and winnings (privileges). To track. In another embodiment, the primary game and game features may be provided via the gaming server 202. In other words, the game server 202 may run an instance of the program application to provide primary game / game features to device 204 of each (active) player. The result of the game (s) is transmitted to the player's device 204 and displayed on the player's device 204.

[0104] A controller, computing device, or computer as described herein includes at least one or more processors or processing units and system memory. The controller usually also includes at least some form of computer readable medium. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media are volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable, implemented in any way or technology that allows the storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. It may include a medium. Communication media typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in modulated data signals such as carrier waves or other transport mechanisms, including any information distribution medium. Those skilled in the art should be familiar with a modulated data signal having one or more of its characteristics whose information has been set or modified to be encoded into a signal. Any combination of the above is also included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0105] The order of execution of operations in embodiments of the invention shown and described herein is not essential unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations described herein may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention are more or less than the operations disclosed herein. May include. For example, it is contemplated that performing a particular action before, at the same time as, or after another action is within the scope of aspects of the invention.

[0106] In some embodiments, the processor described herein is any programmable system, including a system and a microcontroller, a reduced instruction set circuit (RISC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the like. Includes a programmable logic circuit (PLC), and any other circuit or processor capable of performing the functions described herein. The above example is merely exemplary and is therefore not intended to limit the definition and / or meaning of the term processor in any way.

[0107] In some embodiments, the databases described herein are hierarchical databases, relational databases, flat file databases, object relational databases, object oriented databases, and any other stored in a computer system. Contains any set of data, including a structured set of records or data. The above example is merely exemplary and is therefore not intended to limit the definition and / or meaning of the term "database" in any way. Examples of databases include, but are not limited to, Oracle® databases, MySQL, IBM® DB2, Microsoft® SQL Server, Sybase®, and PostgreSQL. However, any database that enables the systems and methods described herein may be used (Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation (Redwood Shores, Calif.) And IBM is the International Business Machines Corporation (. IBM, New York) is a registered trademark, Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation (Redwood, Washington), and Sybase is a registered trademark of Sybase (Dublin, Calif.).

[0108] The present specification uses examples including the best embodiments to disclose the present invention, as well as making and using any device or system, and any incorporated method. Examples including the best embodiments are used to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, including performing. The patentable scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of claims and may include other examples that can be conceived by those skilled in the art. Other aspects and features of the invention can be obtained from the drawings, disclosures, and examination of the appended claims. The present invention may be practiced in a manner other than that specifically described in the appended claims. It should also be noted that the steps and / or functions listed within the appended claims are not limited to a particular order of operation, regardless of the order of the listed steps and / or functions.

[0109] Certain features of the various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, but this is for convenience only. According to the principles of the invention, any feature of the drawing may be referenced and / or claimed in combination with any feature of any other figure.

[0110] The invention is described with reference to the provisions listed below.

[0111] 1. A gaming machine that provides players with games that include primary games and game features.
An operation unit that accepts the player's operations and
A display unit that displays the primary game and the game features, and
It is provided with a control unit that is operably connected to the operation unit and the display unit, and causes the player to decide what to bet on and start the primary game.
The control unit in providing the primary game
Determine the result of the primary game
The primary game privilege is determined according to the result of the primary game, and the primary game privilege is given to the player.
The first trigger condition is detected, and (1) the base feature privilege is set based on the primary game privilege, and the feature trigger privilege equivalent to a multiple of the base feature privilege is set, and (2) a plurality of. Providing the player with the game features, including free play,
The control unit is responsible for providing each free play.
Determine the result of the free play,
A gaming machine that detects a second trigger condition, (1) grants the feature trigger privilege to the player, and (2) sets another multiple of the base feature privilege to the feature trigger privilege.

[0112] 2. The gaming machine according to Clause 1, wherein the control unit grants the player an additional plurality of free plays in response to the detection of the second trigger condition in the provision of each free play.

[0113] 3. The gaming machine according to Clause 1, wherein the first trigger condition and / or the second trigger condition is a mystery trigger.

[0114] 4. The gaming machine according to Clause 1, wherein the first trigger condition and / or the second trigger condition correlate with the result of the primary game or the free play, respectively.

[0115] 5. The gaming machine according to Clause 1, wherein the feature trigger privilege is set in the same manner as the base feature trigger privilege in the primary game.

[0116] 6. The gaming machine according to Clause 5, wherein the feature trigger privilege is set to be equivalent to twice the previous base feature trigger privilege according to the detection of the feature trigger condition during the free play.

[0117] 7. The display area includes a plurality of cells arranged in a grid pattern, and the control unit randomly determines the symbol displayed in each cell of the grid in determining the result of the primary game and each free play. The listed gaming machine.

[0118] 8. The primary game is a video slot game, and the control unit selects a plurality of symbols to be displayed in the cells of the grid by utilizing a virtual reel strip in a manner simulating a rotating reel, and the plurality of symbols. Is the gaming machine according to clause 7, which is displayed in the cell of the grid when the simulated rotary reel is stopped.

[0119] 9. The gaming machine according to clause 8, wherein the grid comprises a plurality of rows, each row defining a reel of the video slot game and having an accompanying reel strip.

[0120] 10. The gaming machine according to clause 8, wherein each cell in the grid has an accompanying reel strip.

[0121] 11. Each free play is a video slot game, and the control unit selects a plurality of symbols to be displayed in the cell of the grid by utilizing the feature virtual reel strip in a manner simulating a rotating reel, and the plurality of symbols are selected. The gaming machine according to clause 8, wherein the symbol is displayed in the cell of the grid when the simulated rotary reel is stopped.

[0122] 12. The gaming machine according to Article 11, wherein the feature virtual reel strip used in the game feature is different from the virtual reel strip used in the primary game.

[0123] 13. A control method for providing a game to a player using a gaming machine, wherein the gaming machine includes an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit, the operation unit accepts a player's operation, and the display unit is a primary game. And operably configured to display game features, the control unit is operably connected to the operation unit and the display unit, allowing the player to determine what to bet on and start the primary game. The control unit in providing the primary game
The steps to determine the result of the primary game and
A step of determining a primary game privilege according to the result of the primary game and granting the primary game privilege to the player,
A first trigger condition is detected, and (1) a base feature privilege is set based on the primary game privilege, a feature trigger privilege equivalent to a multiple of the base feature privilege is set, and (2) a plurality of. Perform the steps and steps to provide the player with the game features, including free play.
The above method is used in providing each free play.
The steps to determine the result of the free play and
A control method including a step of detecting a second trigger condition, (1) granting the feature trigger privilege to the player, and (2) setting another multiple of the base feature privilege to the feature trigger privilege. ..

[0124] 14. 13. The control method according to clause 13, comprising a step of granting an additional plurality of free plays to the player in response to the detection of the second trigger condition during one of the plurality of free plays.

[0125] 15. The control method according to clause 13, wherein the first trigger condition and / or the second trigger condition is a mystery trigger.

[0126] 16. 13. The control method according to clause 13, wherein the first trigger condition and / or the second trigger condition correlate with the result of the primary game or the free play, respectively.

[0127] 17. The control method according to Clause 13, wherein the feature trigger privilege is set in the same manner as the base feature trigger privilege in the primary game.

[0128] 18. The control method according to clause 17, wherein the feature trigger privilege is set to be equivalent to twice the previous base feature trigger privilege according to the detection of the second trigger condition during the free play.

[0129] 19. The display area includes a plurality of cells arranged in a grid pattern, and the step of determining the result of the primary game and each free play is described in clause 13 including a step of determining a symbol displayed in each cell of the grid. The control method described.

[0130] 20. The primary game is a video slot game, the method comprising the step of selecting a plurality of symbols for display in the cell of the grid using a virtual reel strip in a manner simulating a rotating reel. The control method according to clause 19, wherein the symbol of is displayed in the cell of the grid when the simulated rotary reel is stopped.

[0131] 21. The control method according to clause 20, wherein the grid comprises a plurality of columns, where each column defines a reel of the video slot game and includes an accompanying reel strip.

[0132] 22. The control method according to clause 20, wherein each cell in the grid includes an accompanying reel strip.

[0133] 23. Each free play is a video slot game, wherein the method comprises selecting a plurality of symbols for display in the cells of the grid using feature virtual reel strips in a manner simulating a rotating reel. The control method according to clause 20, wherein the plurality of symbols are displayed in the cell of the grid when the simulated rotary reel is stopped.

[0134] 24. The control method according to clause 18, wherein the feature virtual reel strip used in the game feature is different from the virtual reel strip used in the primary game.

[0135] 25. A program for a gaming machine that provides a game to a player, wherein the gaming machine includes an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit, the operation unit accepts a player's operation, and the display unit is a primary game and a game feature. The control unit is operably connected to the operation unit and the display unit, causes the player to determine what to bet on, starts the primary game, and controls the control unit. The department is in the provision of the game.
The steps to determine the result of the primary game and
A step of determining a primary game privilege according to the result of the primary game and granting the primary game privilege to the player,
A first trigger condition is detected, and (1) a base feature privilege is set based on the primary game privilege, a feature trigger privilege equivalent to a multiple of the base feature privilege is set, and (2) a plurality of. Perform the steps and steps to provide the player with the game features, including free play.
The control unit is responsible for providing each free play.
The steps to determine the result of the free play and
A program including a step of detecting a second trigger condition, (1) granting the feature trigger privilege to the player, and (2) setting another multiple of the base feature privilege to the feature trigger privilege.

Claims (25)

A gaming machine that provides players with games that include primary games and game features.
An operation unit that accepts the player's operations and
A display unit that displays the primary game and the game features using computer graphics,
It is provided with a control unit that is operably connected to the operation unit and the display unit, and causes the player to decide what to bet on and start the primary game.
The control unit includes a processor for providing the primary game and the game features, and the processor is a processor.
A game screen including the primary game is displayed on the display unit, and the game screen includes a plurality of reels displayed in a grid pattern.
The result of the primary game is determined and the reel is spun and stopped to display the result of the primary game.
The primary game privilege is determined according to the result of the primary game, and the primary game privilege is given to the player.
When the first trigger condition that appears in the result of the primary game is detected, (1) the initial number of free plays included in the game feature is set accordingly, and (2) based on the primary game privilege. Set base feature benefits, (3) determine multiple feature trigger benefits available during the game feature, each feature trigger benefit is equivalent to a multiple of the base feature benefits, and (4) free play. Before the offer, the image of each feature trigger privilege is displayed along the upper part of the game screen, and each feature trigger privilege displayed on the corresponding reel is set so that the re-trigger condition is different (5). Programmed to perform displaying the game feature on the display unit, including providing the player with the game feature including the number of initial free plays.
The processor in each free play offer
Before spinning the reel, highlight the image of the current feature trigger perks associated with the next appearance of the retrigger condition on the game screen.
The result of the free play is determined and the reel is spun and stopped to display the result of the free play.
When the next appearance of the retrigger condition is detected, (1) the number of additional free plays to be included in the game feature is determined accordingly, and (2) associated with the appearance of the detected retrigger condition. A gaming machine programmed to determine the feature trigger privilege and (3) grant the determined feature trigger privilege and the determined number of additional free plays to the player. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to grant the maximum feature trigger privilege when the occurrence of the re-trigger condition is detected in each free play provision. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the first trigger condition and / or the re-trigger condition is a mystery trigger. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the first trigger condition and / or the re-trigger condition correlate with the result of the primary game or the free play, respectively. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the number of feature trigger benefits displayed in the game feature is equal to the number of reels in the primary game. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the feature trigger privilege is set to be equivalent to twice the previous base feature trigger privilege according to the detection of the re-trigger condition during the free play. The display area includes a plurality of cells arranged in a grid pattern, and the processor is programmed to randomly determine a symbol to be displayed in each cell of the grid in determining the result of the primary game and each free play. The gaming machine according to claim 1. The primary game is a video slot game, where the processor uses virtual reel strips to select a plurality of symbols to display in the cells of the grid in a manner simulating a rotating reel. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 7, which is programmed to be displayed in the cell of the grid when the simulated rotary reel is stopped. The gaming machine of claim 8, wherein the grid comprises a plurality of rows, each row defining a reel of the video slot game and having an accompanying reel strip. The gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein each cell in the grid has an accompanying reel strip. Each free play is a video slot game, where the processor uses feature virtual reel strips in a manner that mimics a rotating reel to select a plurality of symbols for display in the cells of the grid, and the plurality of symbols. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein is programmed to be displayed in the cell of the grid when the simulated rotary reel is stopped. The gaming machine according to claim 11, wherein the feature virtual reel strip used in the game feature is different from the virtual reel strip used in the primary game. A control method for providing a game to a player using a gaming machine, wherein the gaming machine includes an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit, the operation unit accepts a player's operation, and the display unit is a computer graphic. The control unit is operably connected to the operation unit and the display unit, and the player is made to decide what to bet on. A primary game is started, the control unit includes a processor for providing the primary game and the game features, and the processor is a device.
A game screen including the primary game is displayed on the display unit, and the game screen includes a step including a plurality of reels displayed in a grid pattern.
A step of determining the result of the primary game and spinning and stopping the reel to display the result of the primary game.
A step of determining the primary game privilege according to the result of the primary game and granting the primary game privilege to the player, and
When the first trigger condition that appears in the result of the primary game is detected, (1) the initial number of free plays included in the game feature is set accordingly, and (2) based on the primary game privilege. Set base feature benefits, (3) determine multiple feature trigger benefits available during the game feature, each feature trigger benefit is equivalent to a multiple of the base feature benefits, and (4) free play. Before the offer, the image of each feature trigger privilege is displayed along the upper part of the game screen, and each feature trigger privilege displayed on the corresponding reel is set so that the re-trigger condition is different (5). Programmed to perform a step of displaying the game feature on the display unit, including providing the player with the game feature including the number of initial free plays.
The above method is used in providing each free play.
A step of highlighting an image of the current feature trigger perks associated with the next appearance of a retrigger condition on the game screen before spinning the reel.
A step of determining the result of the free play and spinning and stopping the reel to display the result of the free play.
When the next appearance of the retrigger condition is detected, (1) the number of additional free plays to be included in the game feature is determined accordingly, and (2) it is associated with the appearance of the detected retrigger condition. A control method including a step of determining the feature trigger privilege, and (3) granting the determined feature trigger privilege and an additional free play of the determined number of times to the player. 13. The control method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of granting the maximum feature trigger privilege when the appearance of the re-trigger condition is detected. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the first trigger condition and / or the re-trigger condition is a mystery trigger. 13. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the first trigger condition and / or the re-trigger condition correlate with the result of the primary game or the free play, respectively. 13. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the number of feature trigger benefits displayed in the game feature is equal to the number of reels in the primary game. 13. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the feature trigger privilege is set to be equivalent to twice the previous base feature trigger privilege according to the detection of the re-trigger condition during the free play. The control method according to claim 18, wherein the feature virtual reel strip used in the game feature is different from the virtual reel strip used in the primary game. 13. The display area includes a plurality of cells arranged in a grid pattern, and the step of determining the result of the primary game and each free play includes a step of determining a symbol displayed in each cell of the grid. The control method described in. The primary game is a video slot game, the method comprising the step of selecting a plurality of symbols for display in the cell of the grid using a virtual reel strip in a manner simulating a rotating reel. The control method according to claim 20, wherein the symbol of is displayed in the cell of the grid when the simulated rotary reel is stopped. 21. The control method of claim 21, wherein the grid comprises a plurality of columns, each column defining a reel of the video slot game and comprising an accompanying reel strip. 21. The control method of claim 21, wherein each cell in the grid comprises an accompanying reel strip. Each free play is a video slot game, wherein the method comprises selecting a plurality of symbols for display in the cells of the grid using feature virtual reel strips in a manner simulating a rotating reel. 21. The control method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of symbols are displayed in the cell of the grid when the simulated rotary reel is stopped. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for a gaming machine that provides a game to a player, wherein the gaming machine includes an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit, and the operation unit accepts a player's operation. The display unit is operably configured to display a primary game and a game feature using computer graphics, and the control unit is operably connected to the operation unit and the display unit to bet on the player. The primary game is started by determining what to provide, and the control unit includes a processor for providing the primary game and the game feature, and the processor includes a processor.
A game screen including the primary game is displayed on the display unit, and the game screen includes a step including a plurality of reels displayed in a grid pattern.
A step of determining the result of the primary game and spinning and stopping the reel to display the result of the primary game.
A step of determining the primary game privilege according to the result of the primary game and granting the primary game privilege to the player, and
When the first trigger condition that appears in the result of the primary game is detected, (1) the initial number of free plays included in the game feature is set accordingly, and (2) based on the primary game privilege. Set base feature benefits, (3) determine multiple feature trigger benefits available during the game feature, each feature trigger benefit is equivalent to a multiple of the base feature benefits, and (4) free play. Before the offer, the image of each feature trigger privilege is displayed along the upper part of the game screen, and each feature trigger privilege displayed on the corresponding reel is set so that the re-trigger condition is different (5). A step of displaying the game feature on the display unit, including providing the player with the game feature including the number of initial free plays, is performed.
In providing each free play to the processor
A step of highlighting an image of the current feature trigger perks associated with the next appearance of a retrigger condition on the game screen before spinning the reel.
A step of determining the result of the free play and spinning and stopping the reel to display the result of the free play.
When the next appearance of the retrigger condition is detected, (1) the number of additional free plays to be included in the game feature is determined accordingly, and (2) associated with the appearance of the detected retrigger condition. A storage medium comprising a step of determining the feature trigger privilege and (3) granting the determined feature trigger privilege and an additional free play of the determined number of times to the player and executing the program.

Images